Politics

U.S. To Get Its First Sikh Woman Mayor

On the heels of Ravi Bhalla becoming the mayor of Hoboken earlier this month, United States found its first Sikh woman mayor in Preet Didbal. She has been elected to the position in Yuba City in California. Didbal will be sworn in on Dec. 5.

Bhalla became the first ever Sikh mayor of New Jersey’s Hoboken city on Nov. 8 after facing a slanderous campaign, which involved distribution of fliers labeling him a terrorist. He beat five others in the race and will be sworn in January.

Didbal was serving the Yuba city Council since 2014 and is currently the vice-mayor. She is the first in her family to graduate from college. “I am honored and humbled to serve our community. I truly thank you for your support. May God continue to guide us to that which provides peace and gratitude,” she posted on her Facebook page after her election.

“Seeing someone that looks like you, that comes from the same faith as you, to be elected in a public office in this country is inspiring and exciting. And it’s definitely moving,” Jaydeep Singh from the Sikh Coalition said, PTI reported. “When Ravi Bhalla was elected in New Jersey, that was the first time I saw someone who looked like me, who was in a public office in the United States of America.”

Didbal told the media that her priorities as mayor will involve addressing the issues of youth education, homelessness, completion of the Fifth Street Bridge project and filling the gap between the region’s growth and economic development.

The Sutter-Yuba area has one of the largest Sikh communities in the country. Every year, more than 100,000 people come to Yuba City for the annual Sikh Parade — also known as Nagar Kirtan.

Five lakh people who follow the Sikh faith live in the United States, according to the Sikh Coalition.